The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Olohundare Jimoh, has reiterated that his declaration of activist Omoyele Sowore as wanted remains valid, stating that the command will pursue all lawful steps to apprehend him.
Jimoh had earlier declared Sowore wanted for allegedly “causing a disturbance of public peace and acts to commit a serious felony by planning to obstruct traffic on the Third Mainland Bridge.”
During an appearance on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Wednesday, the Commissioner disclosed that Sowore had not reported to the police since the declaration, insisting that the law will take its course.
“My declaration that Sowore is wanted is still in force,” CP Jimoh said on the programme.
He noted that Sowore’s lawyer contacted him via text message on Monday while he was attending to a riot situation and that the message was forwarded to the Officer-in-Charge of Legal at the Nigerian Police Force for further action.
“They agreed that Sowore will turn up at the CID because that is where the investigation is being carried out. The normal practice in investigation is to conclude inquiries before going for arrest,” he said.
The CP explained that despite the communication, Sowore did not show up as agreed.
“Throughout yesterday he has failed to report, and we are going to do everything within the ambit of the law to get him arrested, investigated, and prosecuted for these offences,” he added.
Jimoh maintained that he acted within his authority in declaring the activist wanted, stating that anyone who disagrees should seek redress in court.
‘No order to shoot at sight’
Responding to claims by Sowore that the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, instructed that he be shot on sight, Jimoh dismissed the allegation and described it as “a major misinformation.”
He stressed that the IGP would never issue such a directive and argued that the statement was aimed at inciting unrest.
“I think that is a great misinformation to the general public and to Nigerians at large, which no organisation will take lightly. The Inspector General of the Nigerian Police will never give such an order and has never given such an order,” CP Jimoh said.
“For what reason will he give such an order against anybody across the country? That is where people will know that Sowore, in all ramifications, is planning, and has even begun to put plans in place, to cause mayhem across Lagos. That is why I went all out to declare him wanted.
“So, for him to say that the IGP has ordered that he be shot on sight is a big misinformation and mischievous, which he is known for.”
